Post Doctoral Research Fellow

Position Information: Description

The University of North Dakota has an opening for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate to study the fate, transport, treatment, and remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and PFAS-contaminated sites.  The person hired will work under Dr. Feng “Frank” Xiao (https://und.edu/directory/feng.xiao).

Established in 1883, the University of North Dakota is the oldest research university in North Dakota.  It is the state’s flagship university and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as having high research activity.  UND is a prominent scientific research university and was recently ranked among the top 100 public and top 25 most innovative universities in the country by U.S. News and World Report and is widely regarded as among the top universities in the American Northern Plains region.  UND offers degrees in more than 225 fields of study with nearly 14,000 students.  It is the home of the state’s only School of Aerospace Sciences, the state’s only School of Law and the state’s only School of Medicine and Health Sciences.  The School of Aerospace is home to one of the first and largest unmanned aerial vehicle programs in the world.

UND is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, a vibrant college town of over 57,000 people located on the border of North Dakota and Minnesota.  Short commutes, a great public-school system, high quality medical facilities, low crime, ample parks and theaters, and a cost of living below that found in large American cities are some of Grand Forks’ advantages.  Ranked as one of the top 5 Best Small College Towns, and America’s Best Hockey Town, Grand Forks offers stellar quality of life without metropolitan hassles.

Position Benefits

Benefits include single or family health care coverage (UND pays the full premium), $12,000 in basic life insurance, employee assistance program, retirement plans with generous employer contributions, and 10 paid holidays.

Optional benefits include supplemental life, dental, vision, flexible spending account, supplemental retirement plans.

UND also offers an employee tuition waiver and a variety of professional development opportunities.

Find out more about UND's great benefits and perks here!

Duties & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will work in a supportive, highly collaborative, and energetic environment while having ample opportunities to acquire and develop new skills in relevant research areas.

Guide research projects through experimental design, conduct of experiments, and analysis of data;Maintain detailed documentation of the experimental work;Work closely within the group and with outside collaborators;Maintain close communications with PI regarding progress;Write, edit, and submit manuscripts/abstracts detailing the results of project.

Required Competencies

Strong written communication skills;Must demonstrate the ability to write high-quality scientific papers independently.

Minimum Requirements

Doctoral degree in environmental engineering, environmental sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering or closely related areas. Successful completion of criminal history records check.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identify and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with LC, GC, MS, PCR 
• Experience with high quality writing
• Research experience in emerging contaminants 

Minimum Hiring Salary$45,000 annually, benefited

Contract Period/Start Date

Start date: October 1, 2022 (negotiable) Minimum one-year commitment. The renewal is subject to availability of continued funding and on adequate performance.

To ApplyFor full consideration, applications must be received by June 15, 2022 and include the following materials:

• Cover Letter
• CV
• Names of two references
• Unofficial transcripts.  Please note that the selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts upon hire.  

Position is open until filled.

Additional InformationTo find out why living and working in Greater Grand Forks is way cooler, check out Grand Forks is Cooler.

All information listed in this position announcement will be used by Human Resources, the Hiring Department, and EO/Title IX for screening, interviewing and selection purposes.

Confidentiality of Application MaterialsPursuant to NDCC 44-04-18.27, applications and any records related to the applications that identify an applicant are confidential, except records related to the finalists of the position, which are open to the public after the search committee has identified the top three finalists who will be invited to campus.

EEO StatementThe University of North Dakota is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or other protected characteristic. Women, minorities, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants are invited to provide information regarding their gender, race and/or ethnicity, veteran’s status and disability status as part of the application process. This information will remain confidential and separate from your application.

Veteran’s PreferenceVeterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a DD-214 or NGB 22 and if claiming disabled status, a current letter of disability from the VA dated within the last 12 months.

Clery StatementIn compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of North Dakota publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes the university’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years of crime statistics for our campus. As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found online at UND.edu. You may also request a paper copy of the report from the UND Police Department located at 3851 Campus Road, Grand Forks, ND, 58202.